The elite training camp continued like nothing had happened. Adam spent his time honing his body along with his squadmates.
"Two supply runs, now!" [Senior Officer]
Each soldier carried a large sack on their back. It had fake plastic props meant to mimic real supplies, along with a mixture of sand and granite to make it heavier.
"Are you guys tired yet?" [Adam]
He had to make sure all of his members were accounted for. They had to run long laps around a strange course summoned from the earth by one of the senior officers.
"I think Robert is having some trouble." [Howard]
Adam's squadmates were feeling exhausted. Each and every one of them had sweat staining their clothing. All except Adam.
"We need to keep pace or else we won't finish within the time limit." [Bryan]
There were several squads who were participating as well. It was just that Adam's group started first and would receive punishment if they were to be overlapped. On the other hand, other squads would be rewarded for overlapping rival groups.
"Guys, I can handle it." [Robert]
The man last of the line was trailing behind. His breaths were short and the sweat pouring from his face seemed to outline the wrinkles of his droopy eyelids.
"You don't look fine." [Leo]
"Maybe we should take a short rest." [Alice]
"No! I can still go on!" [Robert]
He tried to argue, but him stumbling over a rock wasn't very convincing.
"Alright. I have a solution." [Adam]
Adam, who once stood in the lead, approached Robert and hoisted the man onto his shoulder.
"Huh?!" [Robert]
Eyes widened from shock, he couldn't say a word as Adam effortlessly carried him to the front.
"What are you guys waiting for? Let's go." [Adam]
His squadmates stood in awe.
"Is this violating any rules?" [Howard]
"...I think it's allowed. The handbook doesn't mention any restrictions on this." [Bryan]
"You brought the handbook?" [Howard]
"I memorized it." [Bryan]
"Oh." [Howard]
There were looks of uncertainty within the group.
"Guys. We're losing time." [Adam]
Hearing that, the group endured the supply run. Within a few minutes, they completed the exercise.
"What the hell are you guys doing?!" [Senior Officer]
The Senior Officers were in disbelief by such an unprecedented feat.
"That's damn near three hundred pounds…" [Stunned Senior Officer]
"And with one arm at that. My word." [Amazed Senior Officer]
The Senior Officers whispered to each other as Adam got a scolding.
"Do you think that these exercises can be completed like this?!" [Senior Officer]
Adam tried to shrug without putting too much pressure on the shoulder Robert rested on.
"All I'm doing is carrying him." [Adam]
"That's exactly the problem! The boy can't train if he isn't the one doing the moving!" [Senior Officer]
"I guess so… Can't you just count it as a team effort this time?" [Adam]
"No I can't just- Put him down when talking to me!" [Senior Officer]
"Damn. Okay." [Adam]
Very carefully, Adam hoisted Robert off his shoulder. With a few adjustments, Adam managed to place Robert on his feet.
"There. Is that better?" [Adam]
"Don't take that attitude with me." [Senior Officer]
He then turned to Robert.
"You! You're doing two hundred squats with the supply bags on by the end of the day. I don't care how long it takes" [Senior Officer]
"What?! This bag is eighty pounds! How am I supposed to do two hundred squats with this thing on?!" [Robert]
"Figure it out!" [Senior Officer]
Robert had a defeated expression hearing that.
"And you!" [Senior Officer]
He pointed at Adam.
"Do one thousand pushups with the supply bag on!" [Senior Officer]
"...Why?" [Adam]
"Don't talk back to me! You will only say "Yes sir" when I order you to do something!" [Senior Officer]
Adam was getting kind of annoyed.
"...Yes sir." [Adam]
"Louder!" [Senior Officer]
"Yes sir!" [Adam]
The Senior Officer's mouth twitched as he suppressed a smile.
"Dismissed!" [Senior Officer]
Adam then walked away with his other squadmates. They had remained silent in fear of receiving punishment as well.
"My condolences." [Bryan]
He placed a hand on Robert's shoulder.
"Don't be. It's just the result of my weakness." [Robert]
Robert let out a sigh.
"I'm sorry, Adam. I didn't mean to get you involved too." [Robert]
"Yeah, no kidding. The guy now has to do a thousand pushups." [Howard]
Robert felt a pang of guilt.
"Don't worry about it. A thousand pushups is nothing to me. It's just annoying that it'll take a while. The problem here is how you're going to get through your squats." [Adam]
"Don't remind me…" [Robert]
The group exchanged laughs. It appeared the sour mood had changed for the better.
"Alright. Let's just get down to it." [Adam]
"Right now?" [Robert]
"Yep. I mean, we only have all day." [Adam]
Robert smiled.
"Our senior did say so." [Robert]